The Polish Red Cross participated in the European Congress of Local Governments, one of the most important events dedicated to the cooperation of local governments, public administration, social organizations, and expert communities in Poland. It was its institutional partner.

This year's edition gathered around 3000 participants – local government officials, representatives of the government, non-governmental organizations, academia, and business, who discussed the challenges facing local communities.

The participation of the Polish Red Cross in the congress was an opportunity to present the organization's experiences in the field of crisis response, humanitarian aid, and building the resilience of local communities. During panels and expert meetings, representatives of the PCK emphasized the importance of cooperation between humanitarian organizations and local governments in the context of new challenges related to safety, crisis management, and civil protection.

"Is the OLiOC System a success or a fiction?" is a panel of the Polish Red Cross during which the report was discussed “Implementing the provisions of the law on civil protection and civil defense in local government entities in Poland.” During the discussion led by PCK specialist for civil protection Kamil Raczyński, with the participation of the member of the PCK governing board responsible for rescue and civil protection Marcin Kowalski, deputy director of the Department of Civil Protection MSWiA Robert Klonowski, mayor of Radzyń Podlaski Jakub Jakubowski, Dr. Ilona Dąbrowska from UMCS, and Wojciech Wróblewski from Caritas Polska, it was repeatedly emphasized that NGOs are one of the foundations for social resilience and natural partners for local government authorities, counties, and voivodeships.

“Charity – how do local governments cooperate with NGOs?” - during the discussion it was argued that it is precisely at the intersection of administration and the third sector that solutions arise that meet the real needs of residents, from humanitarian aid to support for families and youth. During the panel, PCK Governing Board member Michał Mikołajczyk pointed out that building lasting relationships that do not end with the project is crucial, as long-term partnerships enable organizations to effectively fulfill their social mission. He also emphasized the importance of advocacy and cooperation with smaller, local organizations, noting that no institution can operate alone.

“Sustainable Cities. How to build effective partnerships for the economy of the future?” - during the discussion with general director Katarzyna Mikołajczyk, the focus was on the role of cities, where challenges related to climate neutrality, mobility, energy efficiency, and social inclusion are concentrated. Cooperation with local government organizations is also significant in meeting contemporary challenges.

The Polish Red Cross has been supporting local governments for years in activities related to:

The organization is also involved in activities aimed at strengthening the resilience of local communities through training programs, educational activities, and support for public institutions. The European Congress of Local Governments was an opportunity to present our offer of training courses and services.

PCK taught interested parties the basics of first aid for people and dogs during the congress and also presented evacuation backpacks.

Participation inthe European Congress of Local Governments was also an opportunity for the Polish Red Cross to exchange experiences with representatives of local governments from Poland and other European countries. Meetings and informal discussions allowed for the discussion of good practices in cooperation between public administration and humanitarian organizations as well as the identification of new areas for joint activities.

PCK representatives emphasized that in the face of increasing challenges – such as climate change, humanitarian crises, or threats to civil safety – the role of intersectoral cooperation will be even more significant in the coming years.